🌱 Rat Czar + Knightscope K5 Robot Cop + Manhattan Tartan Day Parade

Hey, everybody! Today’s National Gardening Day; did you know that Cool Springs Press founded the occasion in 2018? It's Friday in New York City, and I'm back in your inbox, filling in for your regular writer, with news on:

• 📕 The South Bronx Literacy Academy
• 🛑 No more guinea pig sales
• 🤖 Look for a robot cop in July

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across New York City

• Gas Sale at 174-02 Horace Harding Expy. in Flushing, $3.29
• Farrington Service Station at 126-06 15th Ave. in College Point, $3.39
• BP at 255 E 125th St. in Manhattan, $3.43

📰 Here are the top stories today in New York City:

1. Kathleen Corradi is New York City's "rat czar." As an education department employee, she’s already handled rat mitigation in the public school system. Mayor Eric Adams determined that she fit his job opening of “someone somewhat bloodthirsty with a general aura of badassery.” (Reuters)
2. Say hello to the Knightscope K5 robot. It weighs 400 pounds, is five feet tall, and resembles R2-D2’s distant cousin. This “ball of sensors” is the latest tool NYPD intends to put on patrol round the city. Sure, this plan was floated and scrapped in 2021, but Mayor Adams says “if we were not willing to move forward and use technology on how to properly keep cities safe, then you will not keep up with those doing harmful things.” Along with a human partner, it will patrol Times Square in July. (Ars Technica)
3. The New York City Council made the sale of guinea pigs in the city illegal. Say what? Reportedly, too many neighbors failed to view guinea pig ownership as a lifetime commitment, meaning shelters were overrun with suddenly unwanted little fur balls. (Slate)
4. Does your youngster struggle with reading? The Department of Education (DOE) heard you. Starting in September, it’ll launch a new public school, the South Bronx Literacy Academy, intended to “specialize in intensive literacy instruction.” All classrooms will have two teachers, and future plans include the integration of speech pathologists in the classroom. What’ll it take to enroll your child? “To be admitted to South Bronx Literacy Academy, a student must either present formal documentation of dyslexia, or demonstrate a pattern of reading challenges consistent with dyslexia through an assessment process conducted by the DOE.” (Chalkbeat)
5. On Saturday, the Tartan Day Parade starts at 1 p.m. in Manhattan. And, as you might imagine, drivers will have to deal with road closures. Formation takes place on 44th and 45th streets between 5th and 6th avenues. Participants then travel on 6th Avenue. The parade ends on 55th Street between 6th and 7th avenues. Speaking of 6th Avenue in Manhattan, remember the 6th Avenue Spring Fair at 10 a.m.: The avenue will be closed between 23rd and 32nd streets. (City of NYC)

📆 Today in New York City:

• Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace Reopens at 600 5th Ave (12 PM)
• Attend Andy Troy's Last Laugh Comedy Show with the NY Wine Social Group at the Broadway Comedy Club (6:30 PM)
• August Burns Red performs at the Times Square Theater (7:30 PM)
• See the Diva Royale Drag Queen Show at the Harbor New York City (7:30 PM)
• Depeche Mode performs at Madison Square Garden (7:30 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "The Turf Care team at the Central Park Conservancy is committed to maintaining 250 acres of lawns. While we can enjoy the green grass now, it’s not always so green. The process of preparing the lawns for this season begins in the fall." (Central Park via Instagram)
• "This FDNY photo is from 1963 – An FDNY Field Communications Unit. This unit is staffed by Fire Alarm Dispatchers and Firefighters and responds to major incidents citywide." (New York City Fire Department (FDNY) via Facebook)
• "Parent Coordinators are an essential part of what makes our schools run every single day. Yesterday, we hosted a series of workshops where our parent coordinators learned new ways to help uplift our families and students." (New York City Department of Education via Facebook)
• "We thank all our dispatchers for their dedication and commitment to providing guidance and directing help where it’s needed. The work they do behind-the-scenes is crucial to our lifesaving mission." (New York City Fire Department (FDNY) via Facebook)
• "Free concerts are back baby ✨🎻🎤🎭💃🎶! We’re excited to announce our upcoming season of Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America!" (Bryant Park via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Featured events:

• NYC Friday Spring Midnight Yacht Party Cruise at Skyport Marina Jewel 2023 (April 14)
• Print Arcade Affordable Art Fair (April 15)
• Buskin & Batteau & Friends April Fools Tour - Saturday Matinée @ City Winery April 15th (April 15)
• Uptown Pop-up Market (April 15)
• Latin Vibes Saturday NYC Sunset Cabana Yacht Party Cruise 2023 (April 15)
• Empire Beats LIVE at Silvana in Harlem ! (April 15)
• NYC Hip Hop vs Reggae® Saturday Night Jewel Yacht Party Skyport Marina 2023 (April 15)
• Ubuntu Giving Circle For Black Maternal Health (April 16)
• Bhagavad Gita for Everyday Living: Sunday, April 16, 2023 (April 16)
• Camille Thomas, cello, and Julien Brocal, piano, presented by Peoples' Symphony Concerts (April 16)
• Kindergarten Admissions Virtual Fair, April 17-21, 2023 (April 17)
• Learn how to manage your Osteoarthritis pain with HSS! (April 18)
• An Evening With Lonnie Bunch In Conversation With President Cristle Collins Judd (April 18)
• White Collar Week: Christopher Poulos, Center for Justice and Human Dignity (April 18)
• Hora Decima Brass Ensemble 30th Anniversary Concert (April 18)
• Women, Theater, and the Holocaust Dramatic Readings (April 20)
• Learn how to find credible health information online and improve your posture at your desk! (April 26)
• U.S. Coalition of Black Women Businesses, Inc. (USCBWB) Business Luncheon (April 27)
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Featured announcements:

• Diverse Stories, Cinematic Excellence (Details)
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Featured job listings:

• Personal Assistant for Older New Yorkers in Manhattan (Details)
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Other featured classifieds:

• Philip Springer, Native New Yorker, "Santa Baby" Composer Nominated! Please vote! (Details)
• The Boy Who Saw Christ Free Movie On Tubi (Details)
• Foreclosure: Auction- $8 Million-319 Governors Crt, New Westminster-VANCITY (Details)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update!

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Bee Swarm Simulator (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming New York City Patch newsletter? Contact me at patchnyc@patch.com